PlayStation Network, the service that PlayStation users have come to know and love, will soon be a thing of the past. On February 8, 2012 Sony will take the final step to unifying their online services by introducing it’s users to the Sony Entertainment Network, or SEN for short.

The SEN will take place of the PSN, the online gaming service that Sony launched alongside their PlayStation 3 on November 11, 2006. This name change is Sony’s way of getting closer to their goal of “ establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.”

This change is just a name change, Sony will not require you to alter your current PSN ID or password. The PS3 and Vita will receive a System Software Update that will introduce a new TOS (Terms of Service) before users can gain access to the Sony Entertainment Network.

Sony is currently in the process of sending out e-mails to all PSN users that will alert them of this new change. If you haven’t already received this e-mail, a glimpse at the text in it can be found below.

Dear Psyko_2000,

On February 8, 2012, your “PlayStation®Network account” will be renamed a “Sony Entertainment Network account” or a “SEN account” in conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation®3 system software and PlayStation®Vita system software updates. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system at this time.)

For general purposes, this account change is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them. In accordance with this transition, some necessary naming changes will be made to the TOS and Privacy Policy.

This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation®Network will be aligned with “Sony Entertainment Network.” This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support during this transition.